Peter was not a little alarmed by this sudden requisition on his inventive faculties, especially as a lady was in the case; but, as he prided himself on serving his master, and loved the hilarity of a wedding in his heart, he cogitated for some time in silence, when, having thought a preliminary question or two necessary, he broke it with saying—­

“Everything, I suppose, master, is settled between the young people?”

“Everything, I take it, Peter.”

“And Sir Edward and my lady?”

“Willing; perfectly willing.”

“And Madam Wilson, sir?”

“Willing, Peter, willing.”

“And Mr. John and Miss Jane?”

“All willing; the whole family is willing, to the best of my belief.’”

“There is the Rev. Mr. Ives and Mrs. Ives, master?”

“They wish it, I know.  Don’t you think they wish others as happy as themselves, Peter?”

“No doubt they do, master.  Well, then, as everybody is willing, and the young people agreeable, the only thing to be done, sir, is.”

“Is what, Peter?” exclaimed his impatient master observing him to hesitate.

“Why, sir, to send for the priest, I take it.”

“Pshaw!  Peter Johnson, I know that myself,” replied the dissatisfied old man.  “Cannot you help me to a better plan?”

“Why, master,” said Peter, “I would have done as well for Miss Emmy and your honor as I would have done for myself.  Now, sir, when I courted Patty Steele, your honor, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, I should have been married but for one difficulty, which your honor says is removed in the case of Miss Emmy.”

“What was that, Peter?” asked his master, in a tender tone.

“She wasn’t willing, sir.”

“Very well, poor Peter,” replied Mr. Benfield, mildly “you may go.”  And the steward, bowing low, withdrew.

The similarity of their fortunes in love was a strong link in the sympathies which bound the master and man together and the former never failed to be softened by an allusion to Patty.  The want of tact in the man, on the present occasion, after much reflection, was attributed by his master to the fact that Peter had never sat in parliament.

Chapter XXIV.

Mrs. Wilson and Emily, in the fortnight they had been at Benfield Lodge, paid frequent and long visits to the cottage:  and each succeeding interview left a more favorable impression of the character of its mistress, and a greater certainty that she was unfortunate.  The latter, however, alluded very slightly to her situation or former life; she was a Protestant, to the great surprise of Mrs. Wilson; and one that misery had made nearly acquainted with the religion she professed.  Their conversations chiefly turned on the customs of her own, as contrasted with those of her adopted country, or in a pleasant exchange of opinions, which